Multifunction connector for hand-held terminal docks

ABSTRACT

An assembly of terminal docks connectable to a power or data source and interconnected by a jumper connector adapted to transfer power, data, or both between adjacent terminal docks. The terminal docks are configured to carry power or data to or from a hand-held electronic device. A first terminal dock is connectable to a power source and has a first receptacle with a connector therein electrically connectable to the power source. A second terminal dock has a second receptacle and a second connector therein. A connector chip mechanically retains the first and second terminal docks immediately adjacent to each other. The connector chip also has first and second engagement members and an electromagnetic pathway extending therebetween. The first engagement member is positionable in the first receptacle of the first terminal dock so the electromagnetic pathway is connected to the first connector, and the second engagement member is positionable in the second receptacle of the second terminal dock, so the electromagnetic pathway is connected to the second connector to transfer power or data between the first and second terminal docks.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed toward power accessories for use withhand-held electronic devices, and more particularly, toward componentsfor docking assemblies configured to removably receive the electronicdevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional hand-held electronic devices used to collect and sendselected data, such as by scanning symbology or the like, are typicallypowered by rechargeable batteries. Power accessories, such as terminaldocking stations or terminal docks, are often used to recharge thebatteries when the device is not in use. A conventional terminal dockhas a power cord connected to a power source, and the terminal dockremovably receives a hand-held electronic device so as to provide powerto recharge the batteries. A conventional terminal dock is also adaptedfor data transfer between the hand-held device and a computer system viaa separate data transmission line.

When several terminal docks are used in a common location, they aretypically mounted or ganged together in a side-by-side configuration.One ganging arrangement includes an elongated retention bracket to whichall of the terminal docks are mechanically fastened, so the terminaldocks are secured together by the same bracket. When several terminaldocks are ganged together, all of the power cords and data transmissionlines typically extend behind or below the terminal docks. These powercords and data transmission lines are easily tangled amongst themselvesand can be difficult to manage, particularly when a terminal dock needsto be removed from the bracket and replaced.

Conventional "ganging" brackets include a long piece of metal extrusionsized to gang five individual terminal docks together. The power cordsfrom each terminal dock are typically bundled together and separatelyplugged into a power source, so the terminal docks are not seriallyconnected to the power source. Removing or replacing a terminal dockfrom this ganged configuration is burdensome because the terminal dockmust be unfastened from the bracket, and the power cord and datatransmission line must be untangled and extricated from the bundle ofother power cords and data transmission lines. In addition, a space orgap in the ganging bracket results in an exposed portion of the bracketand cords when a terminal dock is removed from the bracket, which isundesirable.

The conventional ganging configuration also uses a single power moduleto which each of the power cords attach. Providing power from a singlepower module is inflexible and expensive, because the power module mustbe designed to power up multiple units, even though only one or twounits are used. Therefore, there is a need for an improved,cost-efficient ganging configuration for any number of terminal dockswhile providing a high degree of flexibility and versatility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above problems and provides additionalbenefits not recognized by the prior art. One aspect of the inventionembodies an assembly of terminal docks connectable to a singleelectromagnetic signal source. The assembly includes a first terminaldock having a first connector electromagnetically coupleable to theelectromagnetic signal source. A second terminal dock is positionedsubstantially adjacent to the first terminal dock and has a secondconnector. A connection member releasably engages and retains the firstand second terminal docks adjacent to each other. The connection memberhas first and second engagement members with the first engagement memberbeing in electromagnetic engagement with the first connector of thefirst terminal dock. The connection member's second engagement member isin electromagnetic engagement with the second connector of the secondterminal dock. The connection member mechanically gangs the first andsecond terminal docks together and is also configured to carryelectromagnetic signals through the connector between the first andsecond terminal docks. Thus, a single connection member provides for themechanical and electromagnetic connection between the terminal docks.

In one aspect, the electromagnetic signal source is a power orelectricity source, and the connection member mechanically andelectrically connects the first and second terminal docks together. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the first and second terminal dockshave data transmission lines that communicate with the hand-held devicesfor data transmission to and from the devices. The connection memberincludes a data transmission line therethrough that engages andinterconnects the data transmission lines of the first and secondterminal docks. The connection member, thus, also allows data to passbetween the first and second terminal docks.

In one aspect of the invention, the connector has at least one cablemanagement receptacle formed therein. The receptacle is shaped and sizedto removably receive and retain power cord data transmission lines, orother lines or cords adjacent to the ganged terminal docks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view showing a plurality of terminal dockswith connection members or jumper connectors ganging them together inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the terminal docks and connectors ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded top plan view of the terminal docks andjumper connectors of FIG. 1 with the jumper connectors shown removedfrom the receptacles in the terminal docks.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front isometric view of the jumper connector ofFIG. 1, the connector being shown removed from the terminal docks.

FIG. 5 is a rear isometric view of the connector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of a jumper connector in accordancewith an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear isometric view of the connector of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded top isometric view of an alternateembodiment, with a jumper connector shown removed from receptacles onthe top of adjacent terminal docks.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention,wherein each terminal dock has a printed circuit board to whichmulti-function jumper connectors are coupleable for serial datatransfer.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front isometric view of a multi-function jumperconnector in accordance with an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of terminal docks with data transmissionlines therein, and the multi-function jumper connector of FIG. 10coupled to the data transmission lines in accordance with an alternateembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of theinvention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that theinvention may be practiced without these details. In other instances,well-known structures associated with the terminal docks and hand-heldelectronic devices have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the description of the embodiments of the invention.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of terminal docks 10 aremechanically and electromagnetically connected together in a ganged orside-by-side arrangement by a plurality of jumper connectors 12. Eachjumper connector 12 releasably attaches to two terminal docks 10, so asto releasably retain the terminal docks adjacent to each other. Eachterminal dock 10 has a receiving area 14 shaped and sized to removablyretain a battery-powered, hand-held electronic device 16 adapted toreceive and transmit data in a conventional manner. When a hand-heldelectronic device 16 is installed in the terminal dock's receiving area14, the terminal dock 10 provides electromagnetic signals, such aselectricity, to the electronic device for recharging its batteries, anddata is transferred between the terminal dock and the electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 1, an end terminal dock 18 is connected to a powersource 20 by a power cord 22. The end terminal dock 18 is releasablyconnected to a second adjacent terminal dock 24 by a jumper connector12. Power from the end terminal dock 18 is provided to the secondterminal dock 24 through the jumper connector 12. Third, fourth, andfifth terminal docks 26, 28, and 30 are serially connected together andto the second terminal dock 24 and the end terminal dock 18 by jumperconnectors 12, so each terminal dock (except the end terminal dock)receives power from the adjacent terminal dock. Thus, power is providedserially to each terminal dock 10 coupled to the end terminal dock 18via the jumper connectors 12 and the adjacent terminal docks. With thisconfiguration, a separate power cord for connecting each terminal dock10 to the power source 20 is not needed, thereby minimizing the numberof cords attached to the ganged terminal docks.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded top plan view showing a plurality ofside-by-side terminal docks 10 and jumper connectors 12 that attach tothe rear sides 32 of the terminal docks. The rear side 32 of eachterminal dock 10 has left and right receptacles 34 and 36 generallyadjacent to the terminal dock's left and right sides 38 and 40,respectively. The left and right receptacles 34 and 36 are shaped andsized to removably receive a respective jumper connector 12 therein whentwo terminal docks 10 are ganged together. The end terminal dock's leftreceptacle 34 removably receives a plug 42 on the power cord 22, therebyelectrically coupling the end terminal dock 18 to the power source 20.In the illustrated embodiment, the left receptacle 34 on each terminaldock 10 has the same configuration, so any one of the terminal dockscould be used as the end terminal dock 18 that receives the power cords'plug 42.

In an alternate embodiment, the end terminal dock's left receptacle 34has a unique shape corresponding to a shape of the power cord's plug 42.Thus, the end terminal dock 18 is not interchangeable with the otherterminal docks 10. In another alternate embodiment, the end terminaldock 18 has a separate power port that receives the power cord 22 and iselectrically coupled to the left and right receptacles 34 and 36. Thepower cord 22 is inserted into the power port, thereby providing powerto the terminal dock 10 and to the left and right receptacles 34 and 36.

Each terminal dock 10 also has electrical contacts 46 electricallycoupled to the left and right receptacles 34 and 36. The electricalcontacts 46 are positioned within the terminal docks receiving area 14to removably and electrically engage the hand-held electronic device 16,shown in phantom lines, when the hand-held device is docked in thereceiving area. Accordingly, power is provided to the docked hand-helddevice 16 from the receptacles 34 and 36 through the electrical contacts46, thereby allowing, inter alia, the hand-held device's batteries tore-charge.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the left receptacles 34 in each terminal dock 10contains an electrical male connector 50 and the right receptacle 36contains a female connector 48. In one embodiment, the male connector 50is a standard C14 connector and the female connector 48 is a standardC13 connector. Each connector 48 and 50 is connected to the electricalcontacts 46 by conventional wiring. Although the C13 and C14 connectorsare used in the exemplary embodiment, other connectors can be used inthe receptacles 34 and 36 to allow power to be provided to the terminaldock 10 and to the hand-held electrical device 16 when docked.

Each jumper connector 12 has a pair of spaced apart plugs 52 and 54electrically connected to each other. One plug 52 is shaped and sized tomate with the left receptacle 34 of one terminal dock 10, and the otherplug 54 is shaped and sized to mate with the right receptacle 36 of anadjacent terminal dock. Thus, the jumper connector 12 mechanically andelectrically connects adjacent terminal docks 10 together in theside-by-side configuration.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the jumper connector 12is a molded member with a back wall 56, and the plugs 52 and 54 projectoutwardly from the back wall. The plugs 52 and 54 are separated by analignment wall 58 projecting from the back wall 56. The alignment wall58 is sized and positioned to extend into the space between two adjacentterminal docks 10 (FIG. 3). The alignment wall 58 helps to laterallyalign the one plug 52 with the left receptacle 34 in one terminal dock10 and to laterally align the other connector plug 54 with the rightreceptacle 36 in the adjacent terminal dock when the jumper connector 12is moved into the installed position. The alignment wall 58 also blocksthe jumper connector 12 from being moved laterally relative to theterminal docks 10 when installed, thereby protecting the plugs 52 and 54and the respective receiving receptacles 34 and 36 against damage if,for example, the jumper connector or a terminal dock is knocked sidewaysduring use.

The jumper connector 12 also has a top wall 60 projecting from the topof the back wall 56 and spaced above the plugs 52 and 54. The top wall60 extends over the top sides of the adjacent terminal docks 10 (FIG. 3)when the jumper connector 12 is installed. The top wall 60 helps tovertically align the connector plugs 52 and 54 with the respective leftand right receptacles 34 and 36 when the jumper connector 12 is movedinto the installed position. The top wall 60 also blocks the jumperconnector 12 from moving downwardly relative to the terminal docks 10when installed, thereby protecting the connector plugs 52 and 54 and therespective receptacles 34 and 36 against damage if, for example, thejumper connector 12 or a terminal dock 10 is jarred during use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the one plug 52 contains three electricalreceptors 62. The other connector plug 54 contains three prongs 64electrically coupled to the electrical receptors 62 by wires 66 or otherselected signal-transmitting members 56. The electrical receptors 62,the prongs 64, and the wires 66 interconnecting them form a power bridge68 adapted to transmit power through the jumper connector 12 between twoadjacent terminal docks 10. In one embodiment, the connector plugs 52and 54, the back wall 56, the alignment wall 58, and the top wall 60 aremolded plastic members integrally connected together to form a singleconnector unit. In this embodiment, the electrical receptors 62 and theprongs 64 are C14 and C13 connectors.

When the jumper connector 12 is in the installed position, the connectorplug 52 snugly fits within the left receptacle 34 of one terminal block10 (FIG. 3), and the plug's electrical receptors 62 receive andelectrically connect to the male connector 50 in the left receptacle.The other connector plug 54 snugly fits within the right receptacle 36in the adjacent terminal dock 10, and the plug's prongs 64 fit into andelectrically connect to the female connector 52 in the right receptacle.Accordingly, power from one terminal dock 10 is carried to the adjacentterminal dock through the jumper connector 12, thereby providing powerto the terminal dock's electrical contacts 46 and to the dockedhand-held electrical device 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each terminal dock 10 iscoupled to a data transmission line 72 that connects to a dataprocessor, such as a computer 70, to provide data to and from thehand-held electronic devices 16 when docked. The data transmission line72 connects to the back of the terminal dock 10 and extends adjacent tothe backsides of the terminal docks 10 when ganged together. In theillustrated embodiment, the data transmission cables 72 are RS232cables, although coaxial cable, fiber optics or fiber-optic cables, orother suitable data transmission cables can be used to connect theterminal docks 10 to the computer 70. The power cord 22 also extendsfrom the end terminal dock 18 adjacent to the backsides of the gangedterminal docks 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the jumper connector 12 includes anelongated cable retention slot 100 integrally formed in the jumperconnector's back wall 56. The slot 100 is shaped and sized to removablyretain one or more of the data transmission lines 72 and the power cord22 extending behind the ganged terminal docks 10, thereby providing foreasy and orderly cable management behind the ganged terminal docks.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a jumper connector110 has a pair of spaced apart connector plugs 112 and 114 projectingfrom a back wall 116 and positioned below a top wall 118. This jumperconnector 110 does not have the alignment wall between the connectorplugs 112 and 114. The connector plug 112 contains male prongs 120 (FIG.6) and the other connector plug 114 contains female receptors 122 (FIG.6) electrically connected to the prongs. The connector plugs 112 and 114are shaped and sized to plug into respective left and right receptaclesof a pair of adjacent terminal docks in the manner discussed above, sothe prongs 120 and receptors 122 electrically connect to the terminaldocks 10, thereby electrically coupling the adjacent terminal dockstogether.

The jumper connector 110 also has a pair of spaced apart cable retainingslots 120 formed in the back wall 116. The cable retaining slots 120 arepositioned and sized to removably retain data transmission lines 122 orthe like on the back of the jumper connector 110. The cable retainingslots 120 each have a diverging cross-sectional shape, such that theopening of the slot along the clip's back wall 116 is narrower than theslot's closed end wall. Thus, the data transmission lines 122, powercords, or other cables are pressed into the cable retaining slot 120 andretained in place until pulled from the slot. Although two embodimentsof the cable retaining slots are shown and discussed herein, other cableretaining configurations can be used to removably retain cords or linesso as to provide the cable management function while remaining withinthe scope of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of a jumper connector 130 of anotheralternate embodiment. The jumper connector 130 is generally U-shaped andhas spaced apart connector plugs 132 and 134 connected together by a webportion 135. The connector plug 132 snugly fits into the rightreceptacles 136 in the top side of one terminal dock 140 and the otherplug 134 snugly fits into the left receptacle 138 in the top side of anadjacent terminal dock. The one plug 132 has male prongs 142 projectingtherefrom that removably fit into a female connector 143 in the oneterminal dock's right receptacle 136. The other connector plug 134 hasfemale receptors 144 electrically coupled to the clip's male prongs 142that removably receive male pin connectors 146 in the adjacent terminaldock's left receptacle 138, thereby electrically coupling the twoterminal docks 140 together, while also mechanically securing theterminal docks to each other.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front plan view of three terminal docks 150 gangedtogether by two multi-function jumper connectors 152 in accordance withanother alternate embodiment of the invention. Each multi-functionjumper connector 152 joins two adjacent terminal docks 150 by plugginginto respective left and right receptacles 154 and 156 in the twoterminal docks. The left and right receptacles 154 and 156 in eachterminal dock 150 are connected to a printed circuit board 155 in theterminal dock. The printed circuit board 155 is connected to theelectrical contacts 157 in the receiving area for engaging the hand-helddevices 16. The printed circuit board 155 is used for power and batterycharging control and data routing. Each jumper connector 152 and theterminal docks 150 also have standard RS-422 and RS-485 connectors thatmate with each other when the jumper connector is in the installedposition, thereby providing a multi-point communications bus between theterminal docks. Accordingly, the jumper connector 152 electricallycouples the two terminal docks 150 together so as to provideelectromagnetic signals (e.g., power and data) between the terminaldocks, through the jumper connector.

The end terminal dock 158 on the right side of FIG. 8 is connected to apower source 160 and a computer 162 or other data processing unit. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the power is provided from the power source160 to the terminal dock 158, through the computer 162, through astandard communications line, and a RS-422/RS-485 interconnection in theend terminal dock's right receptacle 156. Accordingly, power and datatransmission is provided between the ganged terminal docks 150 throughthe jumper connectors 152, thereby eliminating multiple power cords ordata transmission lines extending behind the terminal docks.

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of a multi-function jumper connector170 in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention.The jumper connector 170 has the same shape as the jumper connector ofFIGS. 4 and 5, discussed above, with a back wall 172, an alignment wall174, a top wall 176, a plug 178 containing female receptors 179, and aplug 180 containing male prongs 181. The female receptors 179 and themale prongs 181 are connected together by wires to form a power bridge184 extending through the back wall 172 and the plugs 178 and 180. Thepower bridge 184 allows electromagnetic signals to be passed through thejumper connector 170 between the plugs 178 and 180.

The jumper connector 170 of this alternate embodiment also has a pair ofoptical fibers 185 extending through the back wall 172. Each opticalfiber 185 has an open end 186 positioned below one connector plug 178,and another open end 188 positioned below the other connector plug 188.The optical fibers 185 allow data signals to pass through the jumperconnector 170 between the open ends 186 and 188. In the illustratedembodiment, the optical fibers 185 are suitable for carrying InfraredData Association (IrDA) data signals therethrough.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of five terminal docks 190 ganged together byfour jumper connectors 170. The jumper connectors 170 optically connectthe terminal docks 190 together. The jumper connectors 170 alsomechanically and electrically connect the terminal docks 190 together asdiscussed above. The electrical connectors and wiring in the jumperconnectors 170 are not shown in FIG. 11 for purposes of clarity and toavoid obscuring the optical fibers 185 in the jumper connectors and theterminal docks 190.

The rear side of each terminal dock 190 includes a left optic coupler192 and a right optic coupler 194. When two terminal docks 190 arepositioned side-by-side, and the left optic coupler 192 of one terminaldock is generally adjacent to the right optic coupler 194 of the otherterminal dock. When the jumper connector is in the installed position,the generally adjacent left and right optic couplers 192 and 194 arepositioned to align with the open ends 186 and 188 of the optic fibers185 in the jumper connector 170. The jumper connector 170 thus allowsthe optical data to pass therethrough and between the ganged terminaldocks 190.

In each terminal dock 190, the right and left optic couplers 194 and 192are connected to each other by an optical fiber 196. The right opticcoupler 194 is also connected by an optical fiber 198 to a coupler 200in the terminal dock's receiving area 202. When a hand-held unit isdocked in the receiving area 202, data can be optically transmitted toor from the unit through the coupler 200 and the optical fiber 198 andto the right optic coupler 194. For each terminal dock 190 other thanthe end terminal dock 204, the data is passed through the right opticcoupler 194, through the jumper connector 170 via one or more of theoptic fibers, and to the left optic coupler 192 of the adjacent terminaldock. Accordingly, the data is optically transmitted serially throughthe ganged terminal docks 190 and the jumper connectors 170 to or fromthe right optic coupler 194 of the end terminal dock 204. Thisconfiguration eliminates the need for separate cables extending fromeach terminal dock 190, thereby simplifying or eliminating the need forcable management behind the ganged terminal docks.

The right optic coupler 194 in the end terminal dock 204 is positionableadjacent to a transceiver 206 adapted for optical data transfer to orfrom the end terminal dock. In the illustrated embodiment, thetransceiver 206 is adapted for IrDA data transfer to and from thehand-held units. Other optical data transfer protocols or formats canalso be used.

Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevantart. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied todocking stations for other electronic devices, not necessarily thehand-held electronic devices generally described above. Various power,electricity, or data-carrying mechanisms can also be used with thejumper connectors while remaining within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

These, and other changes can be made to the invention in light of theabove detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the invention to thespecific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, butshould be construed to include all terminal docks and jumper connectorsthat operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the inventionis not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to bedetermined entirely by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. An assembly of terminal docks, comprising:a first terminaldock connectable to a source that provides power and data to the firstterminal dock; a second terminal dock; a first connection memberspanning between the first and second terminal docks and mechanicallyretaining the first and second terminal docks adjacent to each other,the first connection member having a first pathway that carries thepower and data between first or second terminal docks; a third terminaldock; and a second connection member separate from the first connectionmember and spanning between the second and third terminal docks, thesecond connection member mechanically retaining the third terminal dockadjacent to the second terminal dock, the second connect member having asecond pathway that carries at least a portion of the power and data thesecond terminal dock received from the first terminal dock to the thirdterminal dock.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connectionmember has a slot therein sized to releasably retain a selected cabletherein.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first connection membercarries the data between the first and second terminal docks.
 4. Anassembly of terminal docks connectable to a power source and a datasource, comprising:a first terminal dock connectable to the power sourceand the data source; a second terminal dock adjacent to the firstterminal dock; a connection member releasably retaining the first andsecond terminal docks adjacent to each other, the connector being inelectromagnetic engagement with the first and second terminal docks andbeing configured to transfer power and data signals therebetween, theconnection member having a receptacle therein sized to releasably retaina selected line therein adjacent to the first and second terminal docks.5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the connection member has a firstplug member connected to first terminal dock, and a second plug memberconnected to the second terminal dock.
 6. The assembly of claim 4wherein the connection member has a body portion and the receptacle isdefined by an elongated slot formed in the body portion.
 7. A gangingconnector connectable to first and second terminal docks to hold theterminal docks adjacent to each other and to provide power and databetween the first and second terminal docks, comprising:a firstengagement member releasably connectable to the first terminal dock; asecond engagement member connected to the first engagement member andconnectable to the second terminal dock, the second engagement memberbeing positioned to mechanically retain the second terminal dockimmediately adjacent to the first terminal dock; and an electromagneticpathway through and between the first and second engagement members, theelectromagnetic pathway being configured to receive the power and datafrom one of the first and second terminal docks and provide the powerand data to the other of the first or second terminal docks.
 8. Theganging connector of claim 7 wherein the first and second engagementmembers are integrally connected to a body portion.
 9. The gangingconnector of claim 7 wherein the electromagnetic pathway is anelectrical pathway embedded in the first and second engagement members.10. The ganging connector of claim 7 wherein the electromagnetic pathwayincludes pin connectors in the first engagement member and pin-receivingmembers in the second engagement member.
 11. The ganging connector ofclaim 7, further comprising a body portion with an elongated receptacleformed therein, the receptacle being sized to removably retain aselected power or data transmission line therein.
 12. The gangingconnector of claim 7, further comprising a body portion connected to thefirst or second engagement members, and an alignment member connected tothe body portion and positioned to align the first and second engagementmembers with the respective terminal docks when the ganging member isbeing connected to the terminal docks.